UAW Leader Slams Delphi Execs, Vows to Fight for Worker Rights
By Joe Guy Collier, Detroit Free Press
Mar. 27–UAW President Ron Gettelfinger blasted bankrupt auto supplier Delphi Corp. and its executives on Tuesday as the epitome of what’s wrong with the U.S. business landscape.
Opening a two-day UAW convention in Detroit on bargaining issues, Gettelfinger vowed to fight aggressively for worker rights. He singled out Delphi CEO Steve Miller and Miller’s fellow executives for making millions of dollars while workers were adversely impacted.
More than a year and a half after filing for bankruptcy protection, Delphi, the UAW and General Motors Corp., Delphi’s former parent, have yet to reach a new agreement for union workers.
“It is clear that these bottom feeders file bankruptcy to break the union,” Gettelfinger said. “Our message to the Steve Millers of corporate America: You will never do that. The UAW and other unions will always be there to fight one more day, no matter how long it takes.”
The UAW bargaining convention that kicked off Tuesday includes more than 1,500 delegates from about 850 locals. The convention, held every four years, comes just months before the UAW starts new contract talks with GM, Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG. It also comes in the midst of tens of thousands of job cuts in the domestic auto industry.
Gettelfinger outlined several key items on the UAW’s agenda. He said the UAW would continue to push for universal health care coverage and fair trade agreements. He raised concerns about trade policies with South Korea and China.
“It is time to level the playing field,” said Gettelfinger, speaking with fervor to a crowd of enthusiastic supporters at Cobo Hall.
He also said the UAW would seek members across a wide range of industries.
The UAW recently organized casino workers in New Jersey and home-based day care workers in Michigan.
UAW members face a challenging environment, Gettelfinger said. Chrysler Group employees, for example, face uncertainty as DaimlerChrysler considers a possible sale of the Auburn Hills unit, he said.
The UAW, though, will not back down, Gettelfinger said. Bargaining is a “two-way” street, not just a process where the workers are asked to sacrifice, he stressed.
“Just to be clear, we will enter auto negotiations and all negotiations united and determined to win the best contract possible for our membership,” Gettelfinger said.
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Copyright (c) 2007, Detroit Free Press
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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